What is Perlecan 

Perlecan is a multifunctional protein found in the basement membrane.  It acts as a structural and signaling hub- binding important growth factors and interacting with matrix components to support cell growth, communication, and differentiation. Its unique Heparan Sulfate (HS) chains allow it to capture and stabilize molecules like bFGF, making the surrounding matrix more than just a scaffold. It becomes an active, instructive environment.

Why Use Perlecan-Conjugated Laminin?

When Perlecan’s domain I is conjugated to Laminin E8 fragments, it creates a next-generation matrix called P-Laminin E8, designed specifically for stem cell culture and regenerative medicine. This engineered matrix offers the benefits of both proteins.  

USE: Inducing differentiation & promoting growth in the mesodermal cells. 

• Provides high integrin-binding affinity for stable and efficient cell attachment.
• Easy-to-use box premix & coating methods: ideal for streamlined workflows
• Incorporates Heparan Sulfate (HS) chains to attract and present growth factors like bFGF.
• Facilitates mesodermal lineage differentiation and promotes robust cell proliferation.
• Capable of enhancing differentiation into mesodermal derivatives such as cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and skeletal muscle cells.
• A powerful alternative to Matrigel for defined, xeno-free 2D culture system.

USE: Inducing differentiation and promoting growth in the skeletal muscle cells

• Offers greater integrin-binding affinity for stable cell adhesion
• Can be used with both pre-mix and coating methods.
• Contains Heparin Sulfate (HS) chains to attract and localize growth factors.
• Effectively promotes differentiation into skeletal muscle cells.
• Enhances both cell growth and targeted lineage induction.

Data: Muscle cell differentiation:

• hiPSC-derived muscle calls (Day 38)
• P-421E8 showed higher expression of muscle markers (MHC, MYOD1, DAPI) than Matrigel. 
  (Ref: Zhao M et al. Advanced Science, 2024 Jul;11(26):e2308306. PMID:38685581)

• Ninomiya, Naoto, Kaoru Sasaki, Ryosuke Katori, Yasuhiro Shimizu, Kazumasa Fujita, Yukimasa Taniguchi, Taiko Kunieda et al. "P-LM421E8, the heparan sulfate chain-conjugated laminin-421-E8 fragment, drives differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into hematopoietic progenitor cells comparable to basic fibroblast growth factor in a chemically defined system." Matrix Biology Plus (2025): 100188.

• Zhao, Mingming, Yukimasa Taniguchi, Chisei Shimono, Tatsuya Jonouchi, Yushen Cheng, Yasuhiro Shimizu, Minas Nalbandian et al. "Heparan Sulfate Chain‐Conjugated Laminin‐E8 Fragments Advance Paraxial Mesodermal Differentiation Followed by High Myogenic Induction from hiPSCs." Advanced Science 11, no. 26 (2024): 2308306.

• Sugiyama-Nakagiri, Yoriko, Shiho Yamashita, Yukimasa Taniguchi, Chisei Shimono, and Kiyotoshi Sekiguchi. "Laminin fragments conjugated with perlecan’s growth factor-binding domain differentiate human induced pluripotent stem cells into skin-derived precursor cells." Scientific Reports 13, no. 1 (2023): 14556.

• Adachi, Hiromasa, Asuka Morizane, Sadaharu Torikoshi, Fabian Raudzus, Yukimasa Taniguchi, Susumu Miyamoto, Kiyotoshi Sekiguchi, and Jun Takahashi. "Pretreatment with perlecan-conjugated laminin-E8 fragment enhances maturation of grafted dopaminergic progenitors in Parkinson’s disease model." Stem Cells Translational Medicine 11, no. 7 (2022): 767-777.